Having black beans on hand is an essential part of a good diet. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to cook black beans. From stovetop to pressure cooking, and even oven-roasted black beans, there are plenty of ways to make black beans delicious and nutritious.
Soak Black Beans
Whether you’re cooking black beans on the stove or in the oven, you need to soak them before cooking. This helps reduce cooking time and makes them more digestible. The process also breaks down some complex sugars that make beans hard to digest. It can even make them creamier.
Soaking dried beans before cooking helps soften the skin, which in turn allows more water to penetrate the outer shell. Soaking also helps break down raffinose, a compound that produces gas in the intestines.
Besides soaking, you can add seasonings to your bean broth. Some examples of these include cumin, bay leaves, and garlic. You can also add some baking soda to the cooking water, which can help speed up the cooking process.
Depending on the age of your beans, you may have to cook them for a longer period of time. Generally, beans cooked from dry take about an hour. You may need to add more water as well to keep the beans covered and cooked. If you want to enhance the flavor of your dish, you can add aromatics like chopped onions and olive oil.
You can also use canned beans instead of dried. However, the liquid in canned beans contains mostly salt and starch, which will alter the liquid ratio and the texture of your dish.
Another option is to microwave the beans. You’ll need to make sure you have a microwave-safe bowl. To cook dried beans in a microwave, you will need at least eight cups of liquid.
You’ll also need a glass or ceramic bowl that can withstand the heat. You can use plastic wrap for covering the beans. Be sure to leave a small amount of space for the steam to escape.
Pressure cook
Using a pressure cooker to cook black beans can be done with ease. The main benefit is that it takes less time than it would to boil water on the stove. It’s also an easy way to make your favorite bean side dish.
The key to cooking beans in a pressure cooker is using filtered water. If you are not careful, hard water can cause uneven cooking. You may need to reduce the cooking time or use a pressure release method.
If you’re in a rush, you can also prepare the beans using the quick release method. This is a shortcut that will help you get soft, tender black beans. After the beans have been cooked, remove them from the Instant Pot. You can then strain the excess liquid and freeze them.
Stovetop
Whether you’re cooking black beans for the first time or you just want to spice things up a bit, there are a few simple steps you can take to get the most delicious and healthy results. The type of water you use and the method you choose will have an impact on how long it takes to cook them.
You can make black beans on the stovetop in a number of ways. For the simplest method, you can simply place the dried beans in a large pot of boiling water. For a more flavorful result, you can add aromatics, garlic, and onion to the water. Then, you can simmer the beans for about 1 hour.
To get the most flavor, you should cook your beans in a heavy-bottomed pan. You should also stir frequently while cooking. This helps to keep the skins intact and adds flavor.
If you want to enhance your recipe, you can add cumin, chili powder, cilantro, or green onions. This will help add some extra flavor and kick up the ‘ol bean compote.
Oven
Whether you’re looking for a great snack or a nutritious side dish, roasted black beans are easy to make. They can be baked in the oven, fried, or even tossed in an air fryer. This simple recipe calls for just five ingredients and is a perfect way to add more fiber and flavor to your meals.
If you don’t have time to bake, you can also cook the beans in your slow cooker. The cooking time will vary depending on how old the beans are and what vessel you use to cook them in. You can also freeze the cooked beans, which will last up to five days in an airtight container.
If you’re planning to cook a large amount of black beans, it’s best to start them the day before. This allows for easier cooking and hands-off cooking. The next day, you can drain them and reheat them in the oven. You can also store the cooked beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
To begin, rinse the black beans in cool water. Then, place them in a large bowl or colander. Mix them with salt and Parm. Toss the mixture to distribute the seasonings. You can also add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, cajun spice, or any other spices.
If you want to avoid the splatter of oil, you can spray the baking pan with cooking spray instead. Don’t forget to stir the beans, as this will prevent them from sticking to the pot. Then, transfer the drained beans to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
After 15 minutes, you can check the beans. They’ll be done if they’re plump and have a creamy texture. If they’re not quite done, keep them in the oven and cook for another 15 to 30 minutes.
Freeze leftovers
Whether you’ve made black bean sauce or baked beans, storing leftovers in the freezer is easy. But it’s important to remember that freezing takes its toll on the beans. They lose their texture, aroma and flavor.
Freezing black beans requires a few steps, which can be tricky. First, you’ll need to make sure that the beans are completely cooled before transferring them to a freezer safe container. The next step is to drain them. This removes any excess liquid that may be present. You’ll also need to rinse the beans. Doing this helps prevent the formation of a coating that can cause the beans to deteriorate.
If you’re going to be using your beans within a few days, you can store them in the fridge. You can do this by transferring them to an airtight plastic container. You’ll need to label the container with the date you’re storing the beans.